100% correct workings
BMI2603 EXAM PACK
2025/2026 –
QUESTION & ANSWERS
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
, UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
October/November 2024
HOMEMYEXM
BMI2603
Medical Microbiology
100 Marks
3 Hours
This paper consists of THREE (3) pages.
Instructions:
• This is a timed take-home examination. You have 3 hours to answer all the required questions. You will be
given an additional 15 minutes to download the question paper and 30 minutes to upload the answer file.
Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected by the examination regulations and will
not be marked.
• Clearly indicate your student number and all required information on the front page of your answer sheet.
• Read each question carefully before you answer and take note of the mark allocation per question to
determine how comprehensive your answer should be.
• Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must not be password-
protected or uploaded as “read-only” files). The university only marks one submission received and priority
is granted to scripts received via the myExams platform. No emailed scripts will be accepted.
• Students are advised to review submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and that the correct answer
script file has been uploaded. Scripts with an incorrect file format will not be considered for marking.
• Wrong answer scripts that are uploaded, that is, any file other than the exam answer script (e.g. uploading
the exam question paper instead of the exam answer script) will not be marked and a 0% will be awarded.
Unisa relies on an automated synchronisation system that elects scripts to be marked in accordance with its
prioritisation rules. Unisa awards 0% to incorrect submissions made on the official platform irrespective of
the correct submissions made on alternative platforms.
• A mark awarded for an incomplete submission, or an illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final
mark. No opportunity for resubmission will be granted. Only the last file uploaded and submitted will be
marked. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
• Students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be deemed to have transgressed Unisa’s
examination rules and will have their marks withheld.
• Assessments invigilated by the Invigilator App require a student to activate the QR code. The QR code is
available for activation 15 minutes before the start time of the examination and 30 minutes after the official
start time of the examination. Students who fail to activate the QR code within the available 45 minutes will
be deemed not to have utilised the invigilation or proctoring tools and will have their final marks withheld.
• If a student is found to have been outside the invigilator app for a total of 10 minutes during their
examination session, they will be considered to have violated Unisa's examination rules and their marks will
be withheld.
• Students are advised to complete writing at the scheduled examination end time. Students have 10 minutes
after their scheduled examination end time to upload their scripts on the Invigilator App. Failure to upload
within the stipulated 10 minutes will result in the Invigilator App being non-responsive. In such cases,
students are advised to stop attempting to upload their answer scripts on the Invigilator App and
immediately submit their answer script via the myExams platforms.
• Students who complete their assessment earlier than their stipulated exam duration period should confirm
the completion of their assessment by clicking the "finish assessment button" on the Invigilator App. Failure
to do so will result in students being flagged as being “Out of App” for the remaining duration of their
assessment.
• Students have 48 hours from the day of their examination to upload their invigilator results from the
Invigilator App. Failure to do so will result in students being deemed not to have utilised the invigilation tools
or proctoring tools and their final marks will be withheld.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901633086 from CourseHero.com on 10-29-2025 14:00:11 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249434115/BMI2603-2024-EQP-October-November-20241pdf/
, • Students must complete the online declaration of their own work when submitting. Students suspected of
dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to disciplinary processes. Students may not
communicate with other students, or request assistance from other students during examinations. The use of
Telegram, WhatsApp or any other instant messaging services with any other person (except when asking for
technical assistance via official channels of the SCSC or the Invigilator WhatsApp line) is strictly prohibited.
Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity and students who plagiarise, copy from published work or
Artificial Intelligence Software (e.g., ChatGPT) or online sources (e.g., course material), will be in violation of
the Policy on Academic Integrity and the Student Disciplinary Code, and may be referred to a disciplinary
hearing. Unisa has zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any other forms of academic dishonesty.
• Listening to audio and making use of audio-to-text software is strictly prohibited during your exam session
unless such usage of the software is related to a student’s assistive device which has been so declared.
Failure to do so will be a transgression of Unisa’s examination rules and the student's marks will be withheld.
• Students are provided 30 minutes to submit their answer scripts after the official examination time. Students
who experience technical challenges should report the challenges immediately to the SCSC telephonically on
080 000 1870 and choose option 4 for exams, or their College exam support centres within 30 minutes.
Queries received after 30 minutes of the official examination duration time will not be responded to.
Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected according to the examination regulations
and will not be marked. Only communication received from your myLife account will be considered.
• Non-adherence to the processes for uploading examination responses will not qualify the student for any
special concessions or future assessments.
• Queries that are beyond Unisa’s control include the following: (a) Personal network or service provider
issues (b) Load shedding/limited space on a personal computer (c) Crashed computer (d) Using a work
computer that blocks access to myExams site (work firewall challenges) (e) Unlicensed software.
The Invigilator App instructions:
• Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to log into the Invigilator App and scan the QR code below.
• If you encounter difficulty in scanning the QR code, you can alternatively enter the Exam Access Code
below the QR code to start the invigilation.
• For Take-Home exams, you should scan the QR Code as soon as you have downloaded your question
paper during the 15-minute download window before the official exam start time per the timetable.
• Please take note that you can only scan the QR code once. Make sure you are ready to start the
assessment when you scan the QR Code. The QR code is only scannable for a limited time, and it should
therefore be scanned as soon as possible to start the invigilation.
• Once the QR code is scanned, ensure your media volume is turned up and place your smartphone next to
you. The Invigilator App will notify you with a notification beep when you are required to action a photo
request, which you should then perform as soon as possible. We recommend that you keep your
smartphone on charge for the duration of the assessment.
• Keep the Invigilator app open on your smartphone during the full duration of your assessment. You are not
allowed to leave or minimise the application. You cannot minimise the application and use your smartphone
for typing. If you wish to use a smartphone for typed responses you will need an additional smartphone.
• If you finish your assessment before the app timer has run out, you need to press the ‘Finished assessment’
button and follow further instructions before you leave the app.
• You must adhere to the assessment time limit communicated to you by your institution as the time displayed
in the Invigilator App could differ from the time allocated to complete your assessment.
• You also need to be connected to the internet at the end of the assessment in order to upload the app data.
• Should you encounter any technical difficulty, please WhatsApp The Invigilator Helpdesk on 073 505 8273.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901633086 from CourseHero.com on 10-29-2025 14:00:11 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249434115/BMI2603-2024-EQP-October-November-20241pdf/
, Confidential
Page 3 of 3
BMI2603
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024
QUESTION 1 [25]
In your understanding, briefly discuss the following topics and include appropriate examples.
1.1. Entry inhibitors for treating Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection (5)
1.2. Opportunistic pathogens (5)
1.3. Capsid and genome structure of Reoviruses (5)
1.4. Transmission of diseases by insect vectors (5)
1.5. Extrachromosomal genetic elements in bacteria (5)
QUESTION 2 [10]
Explain Koch’s postulates and discuss the exceptions when the postulates do not define the
relationship between the causative agent and disease.
QUESTION 3 [18]
3.1. With the aid of a hand-drawn diagram, describe the mosquito, blood and liver stages of
Plasmodium falciparum infection. (12)
3.2. Genetically modified mosquitoes have the potential to serve as an effective mechanism to
reduce malaria transmission. Explain the use of “Gene-drive” technology in this regard. (6)
QUESTION 4 [15]
Rotavirus infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in children under 5
years old. Discuss the epidemiology of Rotavirus infections as well as control measures that can
be used to prevent infection with this virus.
QUESTION 5 [12]
Discuss the morphology, transmission, clinical manifestation and treatment of infection associated
with the pathogenic bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
QUESTION 6 [20]
Staphylococcus aureus is an extremely versatile pathogen, causing a wide spectrum of diseases
ranging from mild, superficial skin lesions to life-threatening systemic infections.
6.1. Explain how the hyaluridonase and lipase enzymes and the Panton-Valentine leucocidin
and exfoliative toxins contribute to the pathogenicity of S. aureus infections. (12)
6.2. Define MRSA and explain the mechanism by which S. aureus becomes resistant to
methicillin. (8)
TOTAL: 100 MARKS
First Examiner: Prof S Meddows-Taylor
Second Examiner: Dr TM Masebe
©
UNISA 2024
This study source was downloaded by 100000901633086 from CourseHero.com on 10-29-2025 14:00:11 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249434115/BMI2603-2024-EQP-October-November-20241pdf/
BMI2603 EXAM PACK
2025/2026 –
QUESTION & ANSWERS
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
, UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
October/November 2024
HOMEMYEXM
BMI2603
Medical Microbiology
100 Marks
3 Hours
This paper consists of THREE (3) pages.
Instructions:
• This is a timed take-home examination. You have 3 hours to answer all the required questions. You will be
given an additional 15 minutes to download the question paper and 30 minutes to upload the answer file.
Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected by the examination regulations and will
not be marked.
• Clearly indicate your student number and all required information on the front page of your answer sheet.
• Read each question carefully before you answer and take note of the mark allocation per question to
determine how comprehensive your answer should be.
• Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must not be password-
protected or uploaded as “read-only” files). The university only marks one submission received and priority
is granted to scripts received via the myExams platform. No emailed scripts will be accepted.
• Students are advised to review submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and that the correct answer
script file has been uploaded. Scripts with an incorrect file format will not be considered for marking.
• Wrong answer scripts that are uploaded, that is, any file other than the exam answer script (e.g. uploading
the exam question paper instead of the exam answer script) will not be marked and a 0% will be awarded.
Unisa relies on an automated synchronisation system that elects scripts to be marked in accordance with its
prioritisation rules. Unisa awards 0% to incorrect submissions made on the official platform irrespective of
the correct submissions made on alternative platforms.
• A mark awarded for an incomplete submission, or an illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final
mark. No opportunity for resubmission will be granted. Only the last file uploaded and submitted will be
marked. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
• Students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be deemed to have transgressed Unisa’s
examination rules and will have their marks withheld.
• Assessments invigilated by the Invigilator App require a student to activate the QR code. The QR code is
available for activation 15 minutes before the start time of the examination and 30 minutes after the official
start time of the examination. Students who fail to activate the QR code within the available 45 minutes will
be deemed not to have utilised the invigilation or proctoring tools and will have their final marks withheld.
• If a student is found to have been outside the invigilator app for a total of 10 minutes during their
examination session, they will be considered to have violated Unisa's examination rules and their marks will
be withheld.
• Students are advised to complete writing at the scheduled examination end time. Students have 10 minutes
after their scheduled examination end time to upload their scripts on the Invigilator App. Failure to upload
within the stipulated 10 minutes will result in the Invigilator App being non-responsive. In such cases,
students are advised to stop attempting to upload their answer scripts on the Invigilator App and
immediately submit their answer script via the myExams platforms.
• Students who complete their assessment earlier than their stipulated exam duration period should confirm
the completion of their assessment by clicking the "finish assessment button" on the Invigilator App. Failure
to do so will result in students being flagged as being “Out of App” for the remaining duration of their
assessment.
• Students have 48 hours from the day of their examination to upload their invigilator results from the
Invigilator App. Failure to do so will result in students being deemed not to have utilised the invigilation tools
or proctoring tools and their final marks will be withheld.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901633086 from CourseHero.com on 10-29-2025 14:00:11 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249434115/BMI2603-2024-EQP-October-November-20241pdf/
, • Students must complete the online declaration of their own work when submitting. Students suspected of
dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to disciplinary processes. Students may not
communicate with other students, or request assistance from other students during examinations. The use of
Telegram, WhatsApp or any other instant messaging services with any other person (except when asking for
technical assistance via official channels of the SCSC or the Invigilator WhatsApp line) is strictly prohibited.
Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity and students who plagiarise, copy from published work or
Artificial Intelligence Software (e.g., ChatGPT) or online sources (e.g., course material), will be in violation of
the Policy on Academic Integrity and the Student Disciplinary Code, and may be referred to a disciplinary
hearing. Unisa has zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any other forms of academic dishonesty.
• Listening to audio and making use of audio-to-text software is strictly prohibited during your exam session
unless such usage of the software is related to a student’s assistive device which has been so declared.
Failure to do so will be a transgression of Unisa’s examination rules and the student's marks will be withheld.
• Students are provided 30 minutes to submit their answer scripts after the official examination time. Students
who experience technical challenges should report the challenges immediately to the SCSC telephonically on
080 000 1870 and choose option 4 for exams, or their College exam support centres within 30 minutes.
Queries received after 30 minutes of the official examination duration time will not be responded to.
Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected according to the examination regulations
and will not be marked. Only communication received from your myLife account will be considered.
• Non-adherence to the processes for uploading examination responses will not qualify the student for any
special concessions or future assessments.
• Queries that are beyond Unisa’s control include the following: (a) Personal network or service provider
issues (b) Load shedding/limited space on a personal computer (c) Crashed computer (d) Using a work
computer that blocks access to myExams site (work firewall challenges) (e) Unlicensed software.
The Invigilator App instructions:
• Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to log into the Invigilator App and scan the QR code below.
• If you encounter difficulty in scanning the QR code, you can alternatively enter the Exam Access Code
below the QR code to start the invigilation.
• For Take-Home exams, you should scan the QR Code as soon as you have downloaded your question
paper during the 15-minute download window before the official exam start time per the timetable.
• Please take note that you can only scan the QR code once. Make sure you are ready to start the
assessment when you scan the QR Code. The QR code is only scannable for a limited time, and it should
therefore be scanned as soon as possible to start the invigilation.
• Once the QR code is scanned, ensure your media volume is turned up and place your smartphone next to
you. The Invigilator App will notify you with a notification beep when you are required to action a photo
request, which you should then perform as soon as possible. We recommend that you keep your
smartphone on charge for the duration of the assessment.
• Keep the Invigilator app open on your smartphone during the full duration of your assessment. You are not
allowed to leave or minimise the application. You cannot minimise the application and use your smartphone
for typing. If you wish to use a smartphone for typed responses you will need an additional smartphone.
• If you finish your assessment before the app timer has run out, you need to press the ‘Finished assessment’
button and follow further instructions before you leave the app.
• You must adhere to the assessment time limit communicated to you by your institution as the time displayed
in the Invigilator App could differ from the time allocated to complete your assessment.
• You also need to be connected to the internet at the end of the assessment in order to upload the app data.
• Should you encounter any technical difficulty, please WhatsApp The Invigilator Helpdesk on 073 505 8273.
This study source was downloaded by 100000901633086 from CourseHero.com on 10-29-2025 14:00:11 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249434115/BMI2603-2024-EQP-October-November-20241pdf/
, Confidential
Page 3 of 3
BMI2603
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2024
QUESTION 1 [25]
In your understanding, briefly discuss the following topics and include appropriate examples.
1.1. Entry inhibitors for treating Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection (5)
1.2. Opportunistic pathogens (5)
1.3. Capsid and genome structure of Reoviruses (5)
1.4. Transmission of diseases by insect vectors (5)
1.5. Extrachromosomal genetic elements in bacteria (5)
QUESTION 2 [10]
Explain Koch’s postulates and discuss the exceptions when the postulates do not define the
relationship between the causative agent and disease.
QUESTION 3 [18]
3.1. With the aid of a hand-drawn diagram, describe the mosquito, blood and liver stages of
Plasmodium falciparum infection. (12)
3.2. Genetically modified mosquitoes have the potential to serve as an effective mechanism to
reduce malaria transmission. Explain the use of “Gene-drive” technology in this regard. (6)
QUESTION 4 [15]
Rotavirus infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in children under 5
years old. Discuss the epidemiology of Rotavirus infections as well as control measures that can
be used to prevent infection with this virus.
QUESTION 5 [12]
Discuss the morphology, transmission, clinical manifestation and treatment of infection associated
with the pathogenic bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
QUESTION 6 [20]
Staphylococcus aureus is an extremely versatile pathogen, causing a wide spectrum of diseases
ranging from mild, superficial skin lesions to life-threatening systemic infections.
6.1. Explain how the hyaluridonase and lipase enzymes and the Panton-Valentine leucocidin
and exfoliative toxins contribute to the pathogenicity of S. aureus infections. (12)
6.2. Define MRSA and explain the mechanism by which S. aureus becomes resistant to
methicillin. (8)
TOTAL: 100 MARKS
First Examiner: Prof S Meddows-Taylor
Second Examiner: Dr TM Masebe
©
UNISA 2024
This study source was downloaded by 100000901633086 from CourseHero.com on 10-29-2025 14:00:11 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/249434115/BMI2603-2024-EQP-October-November-20241pdf/
